Station-indicator.



A D D HUI"... N

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Patented Feb. 23, 1909. 4 mama-sum 1.

T. R. CLARK. STATION INDICATOR.

APPLIOATIOH mum an 1, ma.

912,992. Patented Feb. 23, 1909.

\ 4 SHEETS-SHEET I.

INVENTOIB Adam T. R. CLARK.

STATION IHDIOATOB.

uruoumx man my 1, 190a.

Patentd Feb. 23, 1909.

4 SHEEN-JESS! 8.

DARTMOUTH E X ET EH NVENTOR 75.17. By

T; R. cfiARK.

QTATION INDICATOR.

APPLIQATION FILED MAY 1, 1908.

912,992. Patented Feb. 23, 1909.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

' HEE AT THE DOOR CAR STOPS g 175 /..9. W1 l 7P LGA/Q fi INVENTOR 20 resents a front elevation of an in 46 Fig 10 is a front View 60 purpose carried by the trolley pole.

THOMAS ROY CLARK, QF BRADFORD, PENNSYLVANIA.

STATION-INDICATOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 23, 1909.

. Application filed May 1, 1908. Serial No. 430,355.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS ROY CLARK, citizen of the United States, residingat Bradford, in the county of McK'ean and State of Pennsylvania, have invented cerable others skilled in the art to which'it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention consists in the novel features hereinafter described reference being hadto the accompanying drawings which illustrate one form in which I have contemplated embodying my invention and said invention is fully disclosed in the following description and claims.

Referring to the drawings, F igure 1 rep bodying my invention with the front plate and indicator web removed, and the windingrolls artly broken away. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the apparatus with the supporting frame plates omitted for greater clearness in showing the working arts. Fig. 2 is a detail of the device for shifting one of the web enga ing contacts. Fig. 3

is an enlarged detaiF the positions occupied when the ratchet Wheel is at rest. view showing the web engaging contacts,

'35 and a portion of the indicator web, drawn windin rolls and indicator web drawn to a reduced scale. Fig. 9 is a detail sectional view of a portion of the web'showing a modification of the means for making the circuit through the web en ing contacts.

file apparatus 'drawn to a reduced scale. Fig. 11 1s a detail view of a hand operated switch for controlling the apparatus. Fig. 12 'is a detail view of an automatic switch for the siame .-1g.

13 is a detail view of another orm of auto- "matic switch, carried by the car adjacent to the road bed.

In the drawing A represents an inclosmg casing having a front plate A which is preferably hinged thereto and may be proicator em-:

view of the ratchet i 30 Wheel and detent for stopping the motor. Fig. 4 is a similar view showing the parts in Fig. 5 is a detail sectional \ided with a suitable lock or fastening device. The front plate A is provided with a horizontal slot or aperture (1 (see Fig. 10) which is of suflicicnt size to permit the name of a station printed on a traveling web to show through the same. The front plate may be ornamented or provided with suitable lettering, as indicated in the drawin Within the casing A are a )air of win ing rolls or drums B, B mounte preferably one above the other, and carrying a flexible web C of paper, cloth, or other suitable material 011 which are printed the names of the several stations in the order in which they are located along the line of the roadway, as

indicated in: Fig. 8.

Between the rolls B, B and in rear of the slot a in the front of the casing I preferably provide a vertically disposed late D, over which the web C passes, in or er to hold it firmly; and adjacent to the path of the web, I provide a metallic contact, in this instance in the form of a roller E mounted on the rear of plate D and projecting through an aperture in said plate, into contact with the web as shown in Fig. 2.

e represents a contact arm supported from some part of the casing and having a part (in this instance) which would engage the tied at its free end) which would en age the roller 'E were it not for the web g which passes between the contacts E and e, as shown in Fi 2, 5 and 6. The arm 6 is preferably pivoted to the upper part of the casing'on'a stud c and isprovided with a spring 6 which presses the roller e toward the roller E. I prefer to make the contact roller E of considerably greater Width than the outer contact roller e, and to mount the arm e so that it can be moved laterally, into different positions. For example, I have shown in Fig. 2 the arm 6 provided with a horizontal locking arm 2* engaging a slot e in a plate e, which holds it in place on the stud '6 The plate e is provided in this instance with two slots 6, so that the arm e can be moved on the stud laterally and slots as shown, and for a purpose hereinafter set forth.

The web C is provided adjacent to each of the names of the several stations with means for makin a circuit through the contacts E and 6. he simplest means consists of ahole 0 cut in the web as shown in Fig. 6, and located in such position that it will perunit the periphery of roller 0 to extend through such hole and into contact with the roller E. I may however employ a metal button as indicated at c", Fi 9, having portions on each side of the we) and a portion extending theretlirough, which would likewise eflect the desired result of enabling the two contacts to make a circuit therethrough at intervals along the web. I also prefer in some instances to provide the web with additional apertures c (Fig. 8) in a different line from the apertures c, and located opposite the names of certain stations only, as for example those stations at which express trains or cars stop, the row of perforations 0 being adapted for use in the case of local trains or cars which stop at every station. The inner contact roll E is of a width sutli cient to be in line vertically with bothrows of apertures c, c, and the contact arm e can as before described, be moved laterally by hand and locked with the contact roll e in line with either of said rows of apertures. I prefer to employ roller contacts to avoid wear or friction on the web C but obviously other forms of contacts could be employed if preferred. 7

In order to drive the web I provide a motor, preferably actuated as shown by means of a spring, although other forms of motor could be employed in the device. his spring motor comprises the spring F secured at one end to a stationary bar f and at the other end to the shaft or (arbor F on which is mounted the driving gear wheel F connected to the shaft by pawl f and ratchet f in a well known way to permit the spring to be wound without disturbing the train. Gear wheel F meshes with a broad faced pinion G, mounted on a shaft g, which also carries the large gear wheel G. The shaft 9 is movable endwise in its bearings together with the pinion G and gear wheel G, and motion can be im arted to either of the winding rolls B, B in the proper direction to wind up the Web C thereon. When the shaft g is in its outer most osition as shown in Fi 1, the gear wheel. G engages the pinion b on the shaft of the windin roll B, thus driving it in the direction in icated by the arrow 1. When it is desired to reverse the direction of movement of the web the shaft 9 is moved inward in the direction of the arrow 3 Fig. 1) by means of a shiftin lever H which projects through the si e of the casing for convenience), thereby shifting the gear G out of engagement with pinion b and into engagement with a gear wheel G which in turn engages a pinion b on the, shaft of roller B, and the motor will then drive the roller B in the direction of the arrow 2 in Fig. 2. B shifting the shaft 9 still further inwar the wheel G can be disengaged from wheel G leaving the shafts of both rollers B, B free and the saidrollers can be turned by hand to any desired position. I prefer to provide the lever H with a spring locking pawl h, adapted to engage notches h, if, It in a locking segment to hold the lever and shaft 9 in any of the positions to which they may be ad usted, (see Fig. 1). The shaft g is also provided with a driving wheel G which is held in fixed position in the motor frame, and is secured to shaft 9 by a key or feather as shown, to permit the movement of the shaft therethrough, said gear wheel G meshing at all times with a pinion j which is connected rigidly with a ratchet escapement wheel J, both of which.

are mounted loosely on shaft The escapement mechanism includes the ratchet wheel J, and a two armed escapement lever L, L pivoted'at Z, one arm L, carrying a pivoted pawl Z provided with a short tooth Z and a long tooth l, as best shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The pawl I has a certain amount of movement with respect to lever L and is limited by the engagement of a shoulder or shoulders Z with the lever, said pawl being provided with a spring I which. holds it normally in the position shown in Fig. 3. The lever L is provided with an armature Z whiclris located in proper relation to ,the core of an electro magnet, M, so that when the magnet is energized the lever L will be lifted and the pawl l disengaged from the ratchet wheel J, thus permitting the motor to run. The arm L of the cscapement lever is also provided with an armatue l in operative relation with a second electr. magnet M, which is of greater strength than the magnet M, by reason of its windmgs, and operates on the levers L, L

osition to the magnet M.

in opp N, 1g. 2, represents a battery for energizing the magnets M, M and 0 re resents an electric bell (Figs. 1 and 2) whici is operated whenever the motor is actuated to move the web to bring the name of a station into position to be seen, thus calling the at tention of the passengers in the cars to the indicator. The indicator is controlled by means of 'a trigger switch or other contact device which may be operated by the conductor, or, engineer or motorman by hand, or may be operated automatically by means of trips located along the roadway or'along the trolley wire in the case of electrically propelled cars.

In Fig. 11 I have shown a hand operated switch for making the circuit through the magnet M and in order to insure havingall circuits in normal condition after eachoperation of the device I prefer to employ a switch which makes and almost instantly breaks the circuit. In this figure the switch comprises the pivoted lever P which is arranged to pass between a pair 'of normally separated contacts 39 p, and is acted upon by a spring p which holds the lever at all times in inoperative position withrcspcctto the contacts. When a switch of ,this type is employed it is necessary to providemeans for maintaininga circuit through the magnet M to hold-up the detent lever as long as is required to bripg the desired stationjiame into View and to this end ,I provide the con tacts R, R in the circuit of the magnet M adjacent to the lever arm L, said contacts being normally open and one of said contacts (R) being adapted to be struck'by lever L and moved into engagement with the contact B, when the magnet M is energized.

The circuits of the device are illustrated diagrammatically in Fig. 7. Circuit No. 1 extends from the switch P by wire 1 to magnet M, thence by wire 2 to the bell O, thence by wire 3 to battery N, thence by wires 4 and 5 to the switch. The contacts R, R are located in a shunt circuit represented by wires 6 and T which cuts out the switch P by wires 4, 5 and 9to magnet M, thence by.

wire 10 to the contact arm e and small contact roll 6. y

It will be seen that as soon as the switch P is operated a circuit is closed through magnet M thus lifting the lever L, L releasing the escapenient wheel J, and setting the motor in operation to wind the web C upon one or other of rollers B, B, and also bringing contacts R, R together cutting out. switch P and maintaining the circuit No. 1. The web C passes along between. the contacts E, e holding them separated until one of the apertures c (or c) permits the roller 6 to engage roller E when circuit No. 2 is made through the stronger magnet M and restoring the lever L. L to its normal position, and simultaneously breaking the circuit No. 1 by permitting contacts R, R to separate. As the lever arm L descends the short tooth l of pawl l is brought into the path of one of the ratchet teeth. as shown in Fig. 3, but as the said teeth engage, thepawl yields against its spring thereby allowing the engaged ratchet tooth to pass and swinging the'long tooth Z of the pawl into engagement with I.

,v other end with a gndgeon or spindle i), havthe next tooth of the ratchet wheel and stopping the wheel and the motor, as soon as the shoulder Z prevents further movement of the pawl. This additional movement causes the webC to move far enough to bring a pori;

tion of the web between the, rollers E, e and preached.

Inorder toprevent the apparatiis' than being put out of operationby the running separated, and connected by wires 11 and 12 'nnh wires 2 and 4 so as to; niake a. circuit through the battery and bell 53 when said contacts are brought together. This switch S is located in such a position that the contact 5 is in thepath of the outer coil of spring F, and will be engaged thereby when the springds nearly unwound thus making the circuit through the bell which by its continuous ringing will indicate that the Spring needs rewinding. It is obvious that if the car is being used on an ex press run, thecontact arm 6 will he moved inward to bring roller 6 in line with the row of apertures c (see Fig. 8) thereby causing the indicator to arrest the web only at the names of express stations.

In Fig. 12, I have shown a form of switch P adaptedtobe carried by the trolley arm and to engage trips Q arranged on the trolley wire or the supports therefor, in advance of stations. In Fig. 13, I have shown a switch I located beneath the car in position to strike projections or trips Q located along the road bed in advance of the stations.

in placing the indicator in a car the easing A is conveniently supported by means of a hook A (see Fig. 2) or other means, and the electrical connection with the circuitcloser is made by means of a. push plug it not shown) in the usual manner. in cars having the seats extending longitudinally, it will not be necessary toehange the location of the indicator inthe car, but where the seats extend transversely and the car i re ersed at the end of the route, the indiratmr is preferably removed from its support and having a conical end to engage'a shdable cone bearing block if supported in a sleeve 1) secured to the casing and provided with a springlr" in .rear of the block and at the inga flat keyportion 6' adapted to enter a inion h or b. This g inst the springs 2 as will be readily fj .YVhat I- cl'zulntand desire to secure by Lettars Patent is r 71 x V 1.. In an indicator, the combination with an indicating web, of a motor for operating said web, to bring theindications thereof into said web, to brin view, controlling mechanism for said motor including an electric circuit, an electro magnet therein, contacts in said circuit, havin portions located on the-opposite faces of sai web, said web bein provided with a plurality of'rows of devices arranged longitudinally of the web for completing the circuit through said contacts and means for bringin said contacts into operative relation wit 1 the devices in one or other of said rows, substantially as described. I

2. In an indicator, the combination with an indicating web, of a motor for operatin the indications thereo into view, control ing mechanism for said motor including an electric circuit, an electro magnet therein, contacts in said circuit, having portions located on the opposite faces of said web, said web being provided with aplurality of rows of devices arran ed lon 'itudinally; of the web for coni eting t e circuit t rough said contacts, an means for shifting one of said contacts transversely with respect to said web to brin it into alinement with one or other of said lon tudinal rows of devices, substantially as 5 scribed. a

'. 31., In an indicator, the combination witha longitudinally movable indicating web, of

operating and controlling mechanism therefor, including an electric circuit, a magnet located therein, contacts in said circuit, located on opposite sides of and normally separated by said web, said web being provided with a plurality of longitudinal rows of apertures, each adapted to permit the engagement of said contacts therethrough,.and means for shifting-one of said contacts into line witheithei of said rows of apertures, substantially as described.

l 4. In an indicator, the combination with a movable web, of a motor, means for operatively connecting said motor with said web for driving it, a ratchet wheel, operated by said motor, a detent lever adjacent thereto, a yielding pawl pivotally connected to said lever provided with a plurality of teeth for engaging teeth of the ratchet wheel, and means for moving said pawl into and out of engagement with said ratchet wheel, substantlally as described. t

5. In an indicator, the combination with a movable indicating web, of a motor foroperating the same, controlling means for said motor including a ratchet wheel 0 eratively connected with the motor, a yiel ing detent pawl having a short tooth, and a long arresting tooth, means for holding the pawl in such position that the short tooth only is in position to be moved into engagement with the teeth of the ratchet wheel, when out of engagement therewith, substantially as describe 6. In an indicator, the combination with a movable indicating web, and means for causing the travel of the same, of a pair of normally separated contacts located on opposite faces of said web, the said web being provided at intervals with means for permitting the circuit to. be made through said contacts, an electric circuit includin said contacts, an electro magnet in said circuit, and an arrestin device for the web actuating means, operated by said magnet, and constructed to permit a slightmovement of the webafter it is brought into operation to permit the separation of the sald contacts by said web, substantially as described.

7. In an indicator, the combination with an indicating web and actuating mechanism therefor, of means for arresting said actuating mechanism, comprising a ratchet wheel operated by said actuating mechanism, and a yielding detent pawl adapted to be moved into and out of operative relation therewith, an electro magnet for moving said pawl into engagement with the ratchet wheel, an electric circuit for said ma net, a pair of contacts having portions coated on opposite faces of said web and normally separated thereby, said web being provided .with a series of apertures for permitting the enga 1mm of said contacts therethrough, said yie ding. awl permitting a slight movement of the we after the pawl is moved into engagement with the ratchet wheel, to bring a portion of the web adjacent to one of said apertures between said contacts, substantially as described.

8.-In an indicator, the combination with the movable indicator web, and means for actuating the same, of a detent for arresting said actuating means, means for disengaging said detent, includin an electro magnet, an electric circuit there or, a switch in said circuit, a pair of normally separated contacts in a shunt of said circuit for short circuiting said switch, and means for closing said contacts when the magnet is energized, substantially as described.

9. In an indicatonthe combination with the movable indicatoi' web and means for actuatin the same, of a detent lever, provided with means for arresting the said actuating means, an electro magnet for operating said lever torelease said actuating mechanism, a circuit for said magnet, a switch in said circuit, a pair of normall separated contacts in a shunt of said circuit for short circuiting said switch, one of said contacts having a part in the path of said lever for closing the shunt circuit when the lever is operated by said magnet, substantially as described.

10. In an indicator, the combination with the movable indicator web and means for actuatin the same, of a detent lever, rovided with means for arresting the sai actuating means, an electro magnet for operating said lever to release said actuating mechanism, a circuit for said magnet, a switch in said circuit, a pair of normally se arated contacts in a shunt of said circult for short circuiting said switch, one of said contacts having a part in the path of said lever for closin the shunt circuit when the lever is operate by said magnet, a second magnet for moving said lever in a direction to cause it to arrest said actuating mechanism, an electric circuit for said second circuit, and a pair of contacts having portions on opposite faces of said web and normally separated thereby, said web being provided at intervals with means for permitting the circuit through said second magnet to be established through the said contacts, substantially as described.

11. In an indicator, the combination with the' movable indicating web, an actuating means therefor, of controlling" mechanism for actuatin means com rising a rotary part actuate thereby, a etent for arresting said rotary part, a ma net for movwing said detent in a direction 0 release said rotary part, a circuit for said magnet, a controlling switch in said circuit, a second magnet of greater strength than the first mag net, for moving the detent in a direction to arrest said rotary part, a circuit for sai second magnet and automatic means operated by the travel of the web for closing the circuit throu b said second magnet, substantially as escribed.

12. In an indicator, the combination with the movable indicating web, and actuating means therefor, at controlling mechanism for said actuatln means com rising a rotary part actuate thereby, a etent for arrestin said rotary part, a magnet fol moving saiddetent in a direction to release said rotary part, a circuit for said magnet, a controlling switch in said circuit, a pair of normally separated contacts in a shunt of said circuit for short circuiting said controlling said winding rollers, a-reversing lever for throwing one or the other 'of said rollers into operative connection'with said" web, an escapement ratchet connected with said motor, a two armed escapement lever, an electro magnet adjacent to each arm of said lev'er for operating the lever in opposite directions, a ielding detent pawl pivoted on one of said ever arms provided with two teeth for engaging the ratchet wheel, a circuit for' one of said magnets, for movin the escape ment lever in a direction to re ease the es capement wheel, includin a switch and a pair of normally se arated contacts, one of which is in the atiiof and ada ted to be moved by said ever to close t e circuit therethrough and cut out said switch, a second circuit through the other magnet, a pair of separated contacts in said second circuit, located on 0 posite sides of the web, said web being provi ed at intervals with means for causin the closing of said second circuit throng said contacts, to bring one of the teeth of the detent pawl in engagement with the ratchet wheel, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature, in the presence of two witnesses.

THOMAS ROY CLARK. Witnesses:

Tnos. B. Wrnson, GENEVIEVE CLARK HANNA 

